Improved strap-adjuster



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IMPROVED STRAP-ADJUSTER.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 51,581, dated December 19, 1865.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY E. GEMElG, of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Instrument for Adjusting Buckle- Straps; and I do hereby declare that the following` is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The nature of my invention consists of such novel mechanism as is hereinafter fully described for adjusting buckle-straps and for puncturing the same.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

The annexed drawing is a plan view of my invention.

A buckling-strap always has a sufficient length projecting beyond the buckle to wrap around or to grasp with the hand, in case it requires taking up or tightening. It is often impossible to secure this end with any reasonable safety. ln the case of a skate-strap the projecting end must be very carefully secured, else it becomes dangerous to life and limb by getting under the runner and throwing th'e skater. I do away with this long projecting end by my improved strap-adjuster, which is constructed as follows:

A is a strap or band attached to the handle B. It has a buckle, C, secured to its extremity. From one end of the handle a punch, a, projects, the handle being shortened to accommodate the length of the punch. It is covered or protected by the screw-cap b, the outer surface of which supplies the place of that portion of the handle which has been displaced to take up or tighten a strap. lhe end of itis attached to the buckle O. rlhe handle B being held in the palm of the hand and the strap A passing between the fingers, a firm and secure purchase is had without that squeezing and crimping of the hand which occur when the end of the strap is Wrapped around it. The punch a is for punching holes in the strap for the tongue ot' the buckle, or in skating` to make a recess in the boot-heel for the heel-pin, or to remove the deposit collected in the recess.

It will be seen that by using my strap-tightener there will be a great saving of material and a greater feasibility of adjustment.

I do not confine myself to a buckle of any particular description; neither do I confine myself strictly to the use of the punch a, but will use, as the case may demand, either apunch or a gimlet.

What I claim as my invention7 and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

The arrangement of strap A, the handle B,

the buckle (l, and the punch or gimlet a, substantially as herein is specitied and described. In witness whereof I hereunto sign my name to this specification in presence of two subscribin g witnesses.

` HARRY E. GEMRIG.' Witnesses:

FRANCIS D. PAsToRIUs, W. W. DOUGHERTY. 

